Dutchwest 2461 (catalytic) vs. 2478 (non-cat)

[clarksvilleal]

I have a Dutchwest 246CCL that I purchased in 1988. Been running it 24/7 this year, but it's gotten old, and partly due to a few unfortunate overheating incidents over the years needs some new parts which are no longer available.

So I have decided to purchase a new stove. I was surprised that the 2461, which is basically an updated redesign of my 246CCL with a few (apparently) new, improved design features, was still in production. So my first impulse was to go with the 2461. But then I saw that there is a similar non-cat version of the Dutchwest stove line called the 2478. That got me to wondering whether I should switch to a non-cat stove. The main reason I would do that would be to avoid the periodic $120 - $150 expense of replacing the catalytic combustor. Other than that I'd probably stay with the catalytic model because of the somewhat higher efficiency and lower emissions.

So, does anyone have any experience with the 2478, and can anyone comment on the performance -- and longevity -- of the 2478 compared to the 2461? I'm looking for this stove -- whichever I choose -- to last at least as long as the 246, i.e., another 25 years or more.

Thanks in advance for any helpful advice from y'all.

 

[lopiliberty]

The main reason I would do that would be to avoid the periodic $120 - $150 expense of replacing the catalytic combustor

If that scares you wait till you would have to replace the refractory package on the non- cat at $300-400+ every couple of years.

 

[clarksvilleal]

If that scares you wait till you would have to replace the refractory package on the non- cat at $300-400+ every couple of years.

$120 - $150 every 5 or 6 years to replace the combustor has annoyed me. $300 - $400 every couple of years, well, that does scare me!

So. lopi, I guess you have answered my question. 'Course now you have my curiosity piqued with your handle & signature line. Gonna have to do due diligence and look into the Lopi Liberty, I suppose.

 

[lopiliberty]

Don't just look at the liberty. These a lot of other non-cat wood stoves out there. If you like the cast iron look with side loading door look at Jotul. If money is tight look at the Englander 30. How many sqft are you heating? What brands do dealers near you sell?

 

[clarksvilleal]

Don't just look at the liberty. These a lot of other non-cat wood stoves out there. If you like the cast iron look with side loading door look at Jotul. If money is tight look at the Englander 30. How many sqft are you heating? What brands do dealers near you sell?

I'll definitely be looking at others. Money is not necessarily super-tight, but not unlimited. Looking to stay under $2000. Will consider buying used in good condition. I do like the cast iron look, but more importantly I like the cast iron durability. I want this stove to last 25 years or more, as I said.

Heating about 2400 square feet. Don't know what brands dealers near me carry - I may check that out, but I tend to buy big ticket items via the internet - got my log splitter, BCS two-wheel tractor, chainsaw, gas hedge trimmers, wine press & crusher, etc. from companies found via the internet. Better prices, even with shipping, and no 6% sales tax. Don't expect to need local service for a wood stove, but typically service my equipment myself anyway.

Side door definitely a requirement. Ash pan most likely will be a requirement, which I guess would rule out the Lopi Liberty. I can't imagine having to shut the stove down just to removes ashes. My Dutchwest runs 24/7, with a very effective ash pan that I typically empty a couple of times a week even while stove is in full burn. Opening the ash pan door also makes it super-easy to start a new fire or to fire up the stove in the morning when there are just a few coals, after re-loading the stove.

With all these things considered, I am still leaning strongly toward the Dutchwest 2461. The Blaze King looks good, but the King model requires an 8" flue, and mine is 6" and not going to change, while the BK Princess Ultra, which does use a 6 flue, has no ash pan, which pretty much rules that one out. The Woodstock Progress Hybrid looks very good, but it's priced well above $2000, and also has no option for a fan, which is an option I'd like to have if possible. (My CDW 246CCL had a 2-speed fan which finally broke a couple of years ago. iIt really helped distribute the heat when it was working.)

I'll keep an open mind, though, if y'all have any other suggestions.

 

[Jeff from KY]

Well, can't comment on the 2478, but I bought a new 2461 in the fall of 2012 to replace our original Dutchwest Federal Airtight (basically the same model as the 2461). Our wood stove is the primary heat (with passive solar when the sun is shining) for our 1400 sq. ft. home. Burned for two winters, last year was mild, this year was very cold. Quite happy with the performance of our 2461 and am happy I bought it.

 

[tcassavaugh]

hey clarksvilleal, I understand your desire for DW stove. I enjoyed burning both of mine when they were going. I pulled my 2461 a few years back and upgraded to a pe summit with a bigger box. lots of years of trouble free service.

 

[sticks]

Don't walk away from the 2478. RUN!! Run as fast as you can. That non cat could sour anyone on non cats the way the first cats did to the cat stove industry. I have sold all three models and do see an improvement on the 2461 compred to your stove. I can't say the cats never need replacing but they are protected better. While all the stoves people are pitching at you can be good stoves , changing your burning habits may be a big factor.

 

[Highbeam]

The princess ultra does have an ash pan, though as with most it is of limited utiltity.

The vc brand and product line of today is an insult to the name and reputation earned by vc in the 80s. Look at other brands. Jotul makes highly regarded cast iron but you cant beat welded steel for durability.

 

[clarksvilleal]

Don't walk away from the 2478. RUN!! Run as fast as you can. That non cat could sour anyone on non cats the way the first cats did to the cat stove industry. I have sold all three models and do see an improvement on the 2461 compred to your stove. I can't say the cats never need replacing but they are protected better. While all the stoves people are pitching at you can be good stoves , changing your burning habits may be a big factor.

OK, sticks, you and lopiliberty have convinced me to strike the 2478 from my short list. Thanks for the frank feedback.

Highbeam - thanks for correcting me on the ashpan option for the Princess Ultra. OTOH your saying it is of limited utility means I will discount that as a factor in considering the PU.

I called Woodstock and was pretty impressed with their patient assistance in helping me to understand the features and use of the Progress Hybrid, which is still on my short list. I'll be waiting for their next sale which they told me would happen within the next few weeks to see what kind of a deal I can get on that stove. I may also put myself on the waiting list for a refurbished Progress. But I've also just located a used DW 2461 that I'm going to look at in early March that appears to be in good condition, so will probably delay a decision until then.

Anwyay, thanks for all the suggestions and feedback. Once I make a decision I'll let y'all know what I did.

 

[tcassavaugh]

hey clarksvilleal, I tried to send you a pm but couldn't figure out how to send it. what part of Maryland are you in. i'm down here in calvert county along the bay. I have a 2461 also I want to get rid of. served me well for a number of years, upgraded to PE Summit. Drop me a PM.

 

[clarksvilleal]

hey clarksvilleal, I tried to send you a pm but couldn't figure out how to send it. what part of Maryland are you in. i'm down here in calvert county along the bay. I have a 2461 also I want to get rid of. served me well for a number of years, upgraded to PE Summit. Drop me a PM.

I just PM'ed you. I think it it was successful.

 

[tcassavaugh]

got it.....sent one back.

 

[hookspacken]

I hand a 2461 in my last home, bought it new. Burned 24/7 for 3 years, had no problems and still have great memories of heating with that unit. When we built our new home, was going to get another dutchwest, this time the larger one for a bigger firebox, but the local stove shop gave me a smoking deal on a Lopi Endeavor. Gotta say, love this stove. I thought I would miss the ash pan, but it really isnt a problem. I burn 24/7, and dont shut the stove down for ash removal. This is a large stove with a deep firebox, just move everything to one side, sift out the coals and put the ash in the bucket. load it up and keep going. I do admit though, i do feel the cat stove was definatley more efficient.

 

[clarksvilleal]

I hand a 2461 in my last home, bought it new. Burned 24/7 for 3 years, had no problems and still have great memories of heating with that unit. When we built our new home, was going to get another dutchwest, this time the larger one for a bigger firebox, but the local stove shop gave me a smoking deal on a Lopi Endeavor. Gotta say, love this stove. I thought I would miss the ash pan, but it really isnt a problem. I burn 24/7, and dont shut the stove down for ash removal. This is a large stove with a deep firebox, just move everything to one side, sift out the coals and put the ash in the bucket. load it up and keep going. I do admit though, i do feel the cat stove was definatley more efficient.

Hookspaken - your Avatar makes me think you must have just put your hand on your stove when it was in full burn .

Thanks for the feedback. I'm now leaning strongly toward splurging for a new Progress Hybrid. I still think Cat is the best way to go for what I want to get out of the stove, not to mention the environment. I'm not an fanatic on environmental issues, but do try to minimize my impact where feasible. The Progress Hybrid specs show 1.33 g/hr avg. emissions and 81% EPA efficiency rating. I would have liked a stove with fans, but OTOH the fan in my CDW was real noisy, and I can rig up an external fan behind the stove pretty easily to accomplish m/l the same thing.

 

[newyorker]

I have a dutchwest XL 2462 And it has been an awesome stove I currently heat 3600sq ft with it but I'm going to switch to a caddy or a tundra to be more even

 

[clarksvilleal]

Well, the parting will be somewhat bittersweet. After much research and agonizing over giving up our 26 year love affair with the Dutchwest 264CCL, we have decided to buy the Progress Hybrid. The Dutchwest was a great stove, easy to use and ahead of its time in efficiency and design features. A little homely, perhaps ("rustic" would be a more diplomatic word), but a great heater that gave us many years of warmth and comfort with reliability, low maintenance and great ease of use. It had some nice features for a 1980's stove, such as the shaker grates and excellent ash pan, as well as being what is now called a "hybrid" stove with a secondary combustion chamber fed secondary air through stainless tubes for high-temp burning of unburned smoke particles with or without the Catalytic combustor. So I'll be transferring her to a good home for $100. I was surprised at how much interest there was, even with stripped latch threads on the door, a busted cat combustor, and no blower; I have had 6 or 7 inquiries since I posted the ad on Craigslist day before yesterday.

So we are looking forward to welcoming the Progress Hybrid into hearth and home soon. This seemed to me to be the best stove out there for what we were looking for, though I would have seriously considered the BKK if it weren't for the 8" flue requirement. Woodstock made the decision easier by their current offer of a $500 discount for the PH. So I called them yesterday and reserved mine. Hope to have it here within a few weeks. Then I'll have to figure out how to get this 750 lb. behemoth in the house and up on the hearth.